The Rachel Maddow Show: Nancy Pfotenhauer Fillibusters First Appearance
By Nicole Belle Friday Oct 03, 2008 12:00pm
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Based on her performance with Katie Couric, it's no surprise that the McCain campaign has kept Sarah Palin off MSNBC news shows where she wouldn't get the Hannity kid glove treatment. But the campaign has also quite studiously ensured that no spokesperson at all appear on shows like Countdown and The Rachel Maddow Show. Until Friday, that is, when Sr. Policy Adviser Nancy Pfotenhauer agreed to talk up John McCain with Rachel Maddow. Given Maddow's command of facts, I think it's safe to say this won't be repeated between now and Election Day.
Watch when Pfotenhauer launches into her typical talking points (which, for the McCain campaign, means repeating the same debunked memes against Obama) and Rachel responds, knowing the actual timeline of the bill McCain takes credit for co-sponsoring and pointing out that the tired Franklin Raines smear has been denied by all parties involved. Ooops! None of the other news shows actually do homework and question anything she's said before. What's a surrogate to do? Filibuster the rest of the segment by spurting out a lot of words without a lot of substance behind them.
Transcripts below the fold:
MADDOW: Now the Washington Post today had a story about Sen. McCain's Chief of Staff in the Senate, who apparently previously worked as a lobbyist for Freddie Mac, coupled with your campaign manager, Rick Davis's past associations with Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae. Is this going to end the McCain campaign's efforts to try to say that it's Barack Obama who has the worrying connections with those institutions.
PFOTENHAUER: You know, Rachel, I think everybody has plenty of associations to point at or point to, rather, and that's part of ...it's almost emblematic of the problem that occurred. I mean, Freddie and Fanny were government-sponsored enterprises, as you know. They were basically given a leg up by the government and were allowed to grow way out of control. I mean, I think the most important thing is that when this was flagged, when this became known, back in 2005, Sen. McCain was one of the original co-sponsors out there, calling for a bank-style regulator. What that meant is he said forget about this Freddie and Fanny being able to ride the escalator up with no oversight. He wanted somebody, a regulator who could come in and inspect the books, offer Cease and Desist orders, inspect their programs and report on progress and have minimal capital requirements. This was basic good government. And this was happening remember at the time when there had just been ahuge light shone on the fact that they had been manipulating the balance sheets in order to trigger incentive pay. You also had Fed Chairman Greenspan at the time coming out saying if they were not reformed , they could eventually cause systemic financial risk, something we've been dealing with a lot in the last couple of weeks. So I think the most important thing is who did the right thing when you know, the carary was singing in the coal mine and that was John McCain. And frankly, Barack Obama was just silent on the issue, Rachel. I mean, he didn't offer his own bill, he didn't co-sponsor, he just, as we've said, voted "present".
MADDOW: Well, the issue that you're talking about, the Frannie...the Fanny and Freddie regulation bill, which was put forward by Chuck Hagel, Sen. McCain didn't come on as a co-sponsor to that until a year after the bill had been filed and it is...the idea that he was sort of taking on these institutions, I think and I think in a lot of people's eyes, is really undercut by the fact that the institutions set up by Fanny and Freddie-the lobby for them having less regulation was headed up by the campaign manager for your campaign and his Chief of Staff in the Senate was lobbying for Freddie Mac up through 2004. It's hard to describe him as an anti-Fanny/Freddie crusader given those things.
PFOTENHAUER: Now Rachel, be fair. Be fair. You've got ...you've got Franklin Raines, you've got Jim Johnson and you've got an Obama campaign...
MADDOW: Can I...but...
PFOTENHAUER: ... that will not release their list of advisors. They will not...
MADDOW: But can I talk to you about Franklin Raines for a sec? Franklin Raines said that he never advised the Obama campaign on housing issues, ever. The Obama campaign has said the same thing. The quote that you guys have used for your ad on that subject is from the Style section of the Washington Post and it's been denied by all the parties involved. I'm not sure that Franklin Raines is a great peg for your guys to try to hang the Fanny/Freddie association on him.
PFOTENHAUER: He said it and it was reported. He said it publicly and privately. Okay, so let's talk about Jim Johnson, then, the vetter. But to get to your substantive issue, because that's more my balliwick, John McCain actually went out there and sponsored a bill in 2003, calling for a regulatory body that would be housed at Treasury to come in and have oversight over Freddie and Fanny. He was really out there ahead of even ahead of 2005. So I don't think it's fair to portray that he wasn't active. He was active, and remember, this was taking place, it was ex-committee, if you will, it was not even one of his principal committees and plenty of people did the wrong thing in this or were silent, like Barack Obama. So I think if you use that lens, then you've got to be able to use it fairly and focus on his efforts. Sen. McCain, although he is a strong proponent of the free market, he has never endorsed the concept of an unbridled market, whether it's the pharmaceutical industry, the tobacco industry, sponsoring legislation to fight corporate corruption, instituting higher penalties for that, I mean it's ....
MADDOW: Can I ask...
PFOTENHAUER: ...he's worked with, you know, Sen. Levin on corporate compensation and making sure those things would revert when stock options were hidden from shareholders. I mean, he's just had a career of doing what he thinks is the right thing. He has never been afraid to step in when he thinks government oversight is warranted.
MADDOW: I do think, just to be fair, and I do so appreciate you coming on the show and talking to us about it, Nancy. I think to be fair, the problem that Sen. McCain is going to have in making that case is the amount of tape there is of him proclaiming himself as a "deregulator" and I think political fortunes have changed and the interpretation of the record is going to look different depending on what side you look at it from, but that's going to be...that's going to be the fight he is fighting.
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wonder what it costs to get this robot to pretend to believe in you.
Rachel Maddow is awesome, amazing. I've been listening to her on Air America Radio for several years, and those of us who are fans know that's one of the smartest, best-prepared folks out there to advance the progressive cause. Go Rachel! Kick ass and take no prisoners!
Just compare Maddow's demeanor with O'Reilly's. Nice to see a discussion and not a dissenting guest beaten down by shouting.
"To be fair" - I love Rachel's use of her words right back at her!
If Rachel were Bill'O she would have shouted Pfotenhauer down when she first opened her mouth to respond then shut off her mic.
uncle wally @ 3:
Or Randi Rhodes. I think Randi is also smart and well informed, but many times she is also just shrill. Rachel has a much softer demeanor, yet easily cuts through all the BS with keen intelligence.
She is a pleasure to watch.
Pretty apt thread title.
All Pfoten-whatsit did was run alot of time down just reading off bullet bullet points
Full credit for Rachel hearing her out and then shutting her down. Bill O'Reilly would just cut her mic and then go into an apoplectic rage.
"F*&k it, we'll do it live!"
I like it when the camera shows Rachel furrowing her brow, when a guest is being stupid.
Star @ 6:
The facts have such an obvious liberal bias.
You're doing a GREAT job, Rachel!
PEACE
Love the way the harder the hit against Nancy, the broader her smile!
Earlier in the show, Rachel mentioned Palin's quote of the racist and anti-semite Westbrook Pegler. I'd like to know why she didn't bring it up with the McCain stooge.
Why is anyone comparing Rachel Maddow to Bill O'Rilley? They have nothing in common except that they both have tv shows. It is like comparing Lyndon Johnson to Sarah Palin or Saddam Hussien to Osama Bin Laden.
These nitwits better learn how to live in progressive country with the rest of us come November and give up their out of touch conservative fantasies. Rachel Maddow is leading the way to a new Obama era for the US.
bloo @ 1:
At most strip clubs, it's about $20 a song.
Rachel is so well mannered in pointing out the simple facts that she smiles when doing so..Given the so called "Fillibuster" by Ms.Pfotenhauer it is painfully obvious that that The Mccain campaign is losing it's legs to walk on these days....
Notice when people like Pfotenhauer really have zero to say, they suck up all the time available with mindless dribble and deflect criticism elsewhere insuring the questions not being answered.
I hope Rachel Maddow inspires other young people to follow in her footsteps. She's brilliant.
Star @ 6:
Different mediums....different styles
Rachel and Randi are the two smartest women in the media.
Gerry @ 14:
Let me assure you that the far right never learns, forgives or forgets. If they lose in November they will plot their return. They will critique their failures and try to figure out which dirty trick they forgot to use and dream up new ones. I am waiting for the dirty tricks they have yet to spring.
Unfortunately the discussion on Rachel's show was at too high a level for the average Rush listener to follow. The uninformed, easily manipulated voter is the base of the Republican party.
I think Nancy ought to lay off the plastic surgery. My God, her eyes, lips, cheekbones, nose, chin, all reek of intervention. There has never been a face like that in nature.
BTW, it isn't a far stretch to compare Osama bin Ladin and Sarah Palin. They are both religious radicals who believe they are never wrong and that their own gods are guiding them, so whatever actions they take are justified in the name of god.
Pfotenhauer has been all over the cable shows defending McCain. A cute, relatively sharp blonde with a non-stop spiel, her history is quite interesting. Originally, she was an oil industry lobbyist employed by the ultra conservative Koch family Industries.
Up until very recently an extensive biography existed on Wikipedia. On checking this morning, mysteriously, this has disappeared, leaving only scant, bare bones behind. Wonder why?
fastfeat @ 15:
i'll pay her fifty to keep the neck tube thing on.
Rachel is indeed one of the sharpest and best informed members of the media. Prolly don't want to argue with her when facts are available.
oh yeah and Pfotenhour got pwned! She reminds me of a person who would, whilst watching the apocalypse say: "Everything's OK, we'll be just fine if we smile smile smile away the catastrophe!"
I think Nancy ought to stay out of the plastic surgeons' office for a while. Those eyes, lips, cheekbones, chin and nose have never been known to occur in nature.
I love C&L, but I always have to speak up when I think you overstate the case, which you have here again.
Skeletor was very reasonable, and she put forth debatable points. I know that we don't get as many "gotcha" moments with these people (and I can't stand photonwhosit), but I'm usually disappointed by what you purport to be a big win for our side.
Love Rachel too, of course, and she was great as always, but no big win on this one from my standpoint.
bw @ 18:
Me, too. My 25 year old daughter does not miss Rachel's show and I am very proud of her for that. My daughter is also very intelligent and well spoken. I'm pleased she has Rachel as a role model.
IncredulousGeezer @ 22:
To resemble her bare bones.
ronnyg @ 26:
So you don't see the difference between an informed interviewer challenging someone with facts and being able to follow the the twisted logic of a PR person and a nodding bobble head who did not really understand the underlying issue or the lie being spouted at him?
Rachael does her homework. She knows the subject inside out before she addresses it. She can analyze and articulate. Unlike others in the media who are too lazy to prepare hard questions or present a complete overview of a subject. It is sad that "preparation" is so lacking in other broadcasts.
At least (thank God) Pfotenhauer didn't wink at the camera as she spewed her talking points, yanno? You betcha!
Rachel missed a good chance for a zinger.
"So Nancy. McCain sponsored legislation that failed to prevent the abuses done by people like his campaign manager and senate manager? I guess if you can't beat them, hire them"
That would have put a solid frown on Nancy the Cheshire Cat
Actually, Pfotenhauer is smart and articulate, and good at what she does, which is to try to make clear water look muddy by carefully inserting falsehoods or half-truths. McCain needs that now, to put his campaign back on track.
Hey, who pfotenhaured?
Man, open a window or somethin'.
Rachel Maddow is the bomb. She lets Pfotenhauer or Bounds or whoever run out of breath, then simply corrects whatever bullshit they have spered forth with the simple truth. And then she thanks them for coming on.
The people working for the Republican party have all gone to the same training camp. Once the moderator gives you the mic, never give it back. Talk without pause until the end of the segment.
If McCain sponsored and or wrote all these oversight bills how come we are in this financial mess?
Self Employment Tax NOT CALCULATED CORRECTLY!
If you look at form SE Form for 2006 return, notice lines 7 through 10 are not correct.
Palin's only calculated MEDICARE portion on self employment.
No SOCIAL SECURITY tax was calculated.
Self employed have to pay both sides (employee and employer) for social security and medicare.
I am self employed also, I would not be able to get away with paying no social security tax on self
If ya make less than $250,000 a year and ya still vote repupulickan, darn'it, it's just like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders you betcha by golly.
ronnyg @ 26:
As usual these conservative nuts live in their own alternative universe disrespecting the views of liberals who nobly look at all people as equal. Maddow was unusually civil, and it's refreshing because it makes Skeletor look like the crazy narcissistic bitch she is.
mike @ 38:
Isn't that just a few people in Gary, Indiana?
ronX @ 8:
Yes, its like she's saying, "What in the hell are you talking about!"
Although to give the devil her due, nancy is a much more poised rethug mouthpiece than caribou barbie. she's still full of sh*t; she just presents it in a better way.
Gotta love Rachel. She is so smart and she asks the questions the average voter wants answered.
Rachel is good, no doubt. But she wasnt that good in this clip. Far from it in fact; she let Nancy give a pretty long spiel with very little to counter it with.
Star @ 6:
I have been listening to Randi Rhodes since the early 90's when "she was a nobody" (no defamation intended) as I live in the West Palm Beach/Miami market. Although she is absolutely well informed (always has been), I think her ego is running away with her. I find her extremely self agrandising at times, telling the same old stories of how she has met Joe Biden and her conversation on "why can't you just call Bush a liar", how Melissa Etheridge adores her and gives her access to her anytime she wants, etc etc. I find myself switching her off. She has done a tremendous job advancing Progressive Radio, no doubt about that, her problem is she'll tell you so over and over again.
Rachel is great for the TV. Photogenic, intelligent, just awesome!
Never mind Bristol marrying the douchebag who knocked her up; Rachel getting her own show is the real "blessed event."
miss skeptic @ 25:
I think Rachael should let her hair grow. She looks too much like a guy. If she let it grow and wore glasses, she might look a little like Sarah, dontchathink?
Rachel for MTP anchor. Brokaw is just phoning it in. She's the best!
Everyone, please help spread & digg this video to the undecideds: http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Countdown_Sarah_Palin_is_Just_Like_Geo...
Olbermann nails it as he compares the Bush campaign to the McPalin campaign, and this is what I have been saying the Dem's need to hammer away at. It's not just the last 8 years we need to talk about, but the actual campaign of fall promises and their harsh realities!
Maddow and Olbermann are a breathe of fresh air to our airwaves!
scruzman @ 45:
I never saw a man with a face like Rachel's. If you can't tell the difference between a man and a woman unless their hair is the "right" length i suggest you abstain from "bar hoping."
"It's pronounced 'Hfuhruhurr.'"
hr @ 36:
Good point. If he's such a principled champion of reform he should have followed it through and got the job done. Good response to that sound bite.
I avoid listening to the propaganda from both (same) parties.
I too enjoy Rachels depth and breadth of knowledge and was pleasantly supprised that on her show, people of differing views can actually discuss issues and personalties without yelling and name calling. What a new concept! Pfotenhauer was well spoken and knowledgeable, and after her required pontification, explained she thoughts in reasonable detail and held her own against Rachel; no small feat.
Tell Nancy Big MOUTH that all's fair in war.
This is war. War for the future of the nation.
Am I the only one who notices that the new FEMALES picked by the party of THUGS has such big fat mouths?
I mean Nancy and Palin are INCREDIBLE RATCHET JAWED WOMEN.
Can you imagine their mouths flapping at you non stop for the next 5 years or so?
I can't. I will never EVER turn on a TV if they are out there!
Bucket mouthed ratchet jawed fat headed blabber mouths.
ronnyg @ 26:
Ronny, I never claimed this was a "gotcha" moment. Watch the video again. Pfotenhauer starts off with her standard campaign talking points and when Rachel corrects her with facts, Pfotenhauer's smile gets even broader, but her eyes widen too.
Then Pfotenhauer just starts filibustering the interview. She just talks and talks and talks to run out her time. Her talking points don't even truly match the question and she just goes on and on and on.
What I'm saying is that this is the first appearance Pfotenhauer has made (and she's made a ton, trust me, I've had to watch them) where the host actually is armed with facts that dispute the McCain mythology. My guess is that Rachel shouldn't expect any more visits from McCain proxies in the future.
Yes and maybe this is where the ignorant BILLO excels. It's his show and don't outdo me.
I don't agree with anythingPfotenhauer said, but I don't see why I should be outraged by this interview which seemed to be very calm, measured and both seemed to be pleasant to each other.
Sorry Nicole, but I didn't find that be anything but an paid operative advocating for her candidate. They all do the exact same thing.
scruzman @ 45:
Rachel's not the type of gal into tattooed lipstick and eyebrow liner like the Wasilla meth-queen.
Yellowbird @ 52:
Whoa, cut the caffeine dose...
Why given Pfartenhauer the time? She can foul the air over at Fox unabated. McCain surrogates are reptilian!
It's good to see nancy had the guts to appear on maadow's show......many others have declined.
this is clearly an attempt of the mccain campaign to
neutralize any connection/involvement with fannie& freddie. the republicans have dominated the the congress
1995-end of2006.Basically little to NO regulation until
early 2007.
StirFry @ 56:
Wouldn't be synchronistic if she was getting it from BHO when he was dealing meth in Chicago!
Speaking of journalists and their guests, here's a revealing clip
about Palin's bullshitting regarding what SCOTUS decisions she
doesn't like, from, of all places, Fox:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3r9YnOvSJw
Although, yea, it was TPM who stuck it on You Tube.
Worth a look - it's an all too rare moment when Fox
actually does some honest reporting. I hope this
reporter doesn't lose his job over it.....
Nancy needs to eat some g-d sandwiches!
The lack of nutrition has sullied this waifs brain.
algionfriddo @ 46:
Speaking of Brokaw, now is a good time to send a comment to NBC about Brokaw's right wing stance and how he may do the debate on Tuesday. If they get enough comments it may make a difference.
Speaking of "what's a surrogate to do?" McCain's going nuclear.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/03/AR200810...
I guess the debate on Tuesday will be full of references to Islam, debunked associations, and character attacks? I wonder how that will play with Joe Six-Pack...if Joe Six-Pack even follows the debates.
I heard McCain's new campaign slogan is "Got MILF?".
Christ,
how does Nancy's noodle neck support that big assed head of hers?
I'm guessing her turtle neck has reinforced steel neck support.
The comparison to bor and Rachel is simply because they both have a show, albeit one a TV show and the other a propaganda machine, that invite on guests to discuss subject matter relating to political, economic and social issues. The difference is light years apart in how the interaction is handled. Nuff said.
As for the plastic work on this nancy lady, let it be. She has the money, the vanity, and you'd be surprised how many Americans (that can afford such vanity) subject themselves to the knife.
And lastly, I'm impressed with nancy as well as Rachel in her usual mode and style. I've seen this woman before, and I wanted to reach through the screen or my monitor and strangle her. But at least this time she didn't just continue to roll over Rachel. It was "tolerable". Wow....from a neocon shill, that's pretty good.
Oh, and one more "last of the last things", Congress was controlled by the repugs up until 2006, correct? So anything anyone did up until 2006 was pretty much shelved in the banos.
My email to NBC Meet the Press:
I just want to say that I ma very concerned about Tom Brokaw doing the debate on Tuesday. On the last Meet The Press Brokaw intentionally mislead the public with his phony poll he injected at the end of the Steve Schmidt and David Axelrod interview. I used to really like Mr. Brokaw but since he has been filling in on Meet The Press he has shown me he is really a right wing mouthpiece. After this fake poll indecent he has lost his credibility with me and other people I talk to about Meet The Press. Please please please make sure he is fair during the debate. If it is perceived that he is in the pocket for the Republican Party he will be doing NBC a disservice and people will think of them as ABC after Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos moderated the debate on ABC a few months ago. Personally I will never watch ABC again and every time I see a reference to them in a news story I give it no credibility. I sure hope Tom Brokaw does not do that for NBC.
Hulk @ 68:
"The last guy that touched it, broke it."
1st rule of politics.
Rachel, I <3 you.
Keep it up, girl!
Rachel never asked why McCain's campaign manager was getting $15,000 a month from Fannie or Freddie
Rachel is great at connecting the dots for the benifit of those open minded enough to listen as well as the drones twisting the real facts into "believable" psudo facts for the uninformed. You can bet that Nancy has removed the mirrors from her home by now, how could she possibly prattle on every day reminded of the twit she has become. I'll bet she doesn't really believe her own nonsense. As the old joke goes, "we've already established what you are, now we are just determining the price"
Pwned!!!
Way to go Rachel.
First time I've seen Rachel come out on the short end of the stick. I despise this republican talking head, but she took Rachel to school on this one.
scruzman @ 70:
rachel maddow should expand her interviews to more than 2 minutes, everyone else is doing that already. i would like to hear her ask more questions and 2 minutes limits me to only one canned response from the interviewee. if i could get more canned responses, wow, that would be great because rachel's questions and responses constrict the life out of them.
"John McCain actually went out there and sponsored a bill in 2003, calling for a regulatory body that would be housed at Treasury to come in and have oversight over Freddie and Fanny. He was really out there ahead of even ahead of 2005. So I don’t think it’s fair to portray that he wasn’t active. He was active, and remember, this was taking place, it was ex-committee, if you will, it was not even one of his principal committees and plenty of people did the wrong thing in this or were silent, like Barack Obama."
What year was Obama elected into the Senate, again?
Nasty Fartinwhore is a Fact Free republican points regurgitating machine
I'm surprised she didn't bring up Rev Wright, William Ayers and Tony Rezzco too.
BTW not only is McCain unable to establish himself as a de-regulator because he never saw a regulation he wouldn't cut. He also can't say he is anti earmarks either. Not even one week after the debate where he ranted about the evils of earmarks and how he would put an end to them. Mr. Anti earmarks voted for the Korporate bailout bill that had over $100 million worth of earmark sweeteners in it!
Ooooooouch that's gonna leave a mark!
Maddow.......Can I but?
Maddow......Can I ask?
CAN I ASK...........who the hell's show is it???
Not saying she should be abusive, i.e. o'liely's attack on Barney Frank, but JC on a popcicle stick, it is YOUR show!!
I saw this interview last night and couldn't help but to laugh. Nancy didn't know what to do even with the first question. The question was really given McCain's accusations that Obama is the candidate with the ties to lobbyists and the fact that McCain has high-ranking lobbyists, will McCain continue to follow this path? Nancy couldn't even deny that McCain has no links to lobbyists or that they have no role, instead she is reduced to saying that everyone is linked to lobbyists. That is an odd answer to the question as it only points out the absurdity of McCain's claims. If everyone is linked to lobbyists, it is interesting that McCain tries to deny it and point the finger elsewhere.
From this point on, Nancy just smiled more and more and didn't even make sense. She tried to play beat the clock so that she didn't have to answer any more questions and look silly.
Kudos for Maddow for being polite and allowing her to obviously squirm without the usual nasty back and forth that we see in the media. Maddow was prepared and knew the facts, something that Nancy clearly was not thrilled about.
xoites defends Constitution @ 20:
Indeed. Not only will they regroup, but they'll likely gobsmack us with whatever it is they pull next. Republicans who lose fair fights don't bone up to get better for the next one. They cry foul, and figure out how to sneak in brass knuckles and poisons into the next one.
More importantly, however, we will not have a progressive government come November. Obama's election will be historic, to be sure, and rightly celebrated for many obvious reasons. But his election buys us time to stop the bleeding, and regroup ourselves.
I would implore everyone not to think of Obama's election as anything but the beginning of a long, hard fight to take back this country.
xoites defends Constitution @ 20:
I'm with you. The rightwing does not want to cede the White House because doing so means that it would also cede control over naming judges to federal courts.
I wish I were more optimistic about the trends in the US that favor Obama, but the thing is that there are four long weeks left until election day. The rightwing will spare no foul trick or innuendo between now and then. It is in the best interests of the rightwing to turn the campaign into a big mudsliging festival because it cannot run on its record, nor on its plan for the future of America.
I look upon the rightwing in this country the same way I look upon HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey. It is an entity that does not want to lose control and therefore is willing to do whatever it takes to stay in power.
Karen @ 77:
Indeed. It is just the beginning of the process, not the magic solution. And it will take a lot of work for other centered people to rebuild what self centered people tore down the past 8 years.
ronnyg @ 26:
I couldn't have said it better myself. I like Rachel too, but considering the facts that Pfotenhauer has to work with, I don't think the McCain campaign could have asked for much more from her.
Jay Severin Has A Small Pen1s @ 32:
Rachel has too much class to resort to those Hannity-O'Reilly tactics.
Is Nancy too thin? I worry she may have an eating disorder...sorry if it's just genetics but get help if you need it.
xoites defends Constitution @ 29:
Difference, yes. Was Pfotenhauer owned? No, I don't believe so. Point out to me where she seemed flustered or completely thrown off. I've seen much worse, and this to me wasn't noteworthy, which is my point.
Nicole Belle @ 53:
I appreciate what you're saying here, Nicole; it's just that I watch many of these shows and debates and try to put myself in the mind of the independent viewer (I'm waaay left), and I don't think this clip, in particular, would make anyone say, "What a gasbag," gasbag though she may be.
Again, I love C&L and love Rachel. I guess, upon rereading your text, you didn't really overstate this one as C&L sometimes does (which to me is a disservice to C&L's reputation for "truthiness"). In any case, keep up the great work!
Nancy Pfotenhauer looks like some of the victims of botched facelifts on badplasticsurgery.com.
Oh My God!
A cable TV host who actually knows about the facts and the details in an interview!
Call Fox security!
could there be a more unfair battle of minds than maddow vs pfothouthouser?
like taking a knife to a gunfight.
and this current wave of dismissing interviews that don't go well as "gotcha" journalism is lame.
Apparently when the subject of an interview is a moron and can't even spit out the name of a newspaper its gotcha journalism. ridiculous.
Shows like these don't always have to be a 'win" for whichever side the host represents. Better toget actual information. Rachel is a very reasonable and informed host. That's what the country needs.....people who are smart enough to ask the correct questions and who have done enough homework to politely call the guest on his or her answer when they are spinning. Most of the interviewers haven't a clue as to whether they are getting a true answer. It's essential that a person of her calibre is successful so that other interviewers will have the incentive to read up and know the material they are quizzing their guests on.
Jon Stewart actually reads. Dick Cavet did years ago. There have been a few. Most of the time, though, we are all sitting there watching and knowing that some campaign spokesperson just told an untruth and it went unchallenged.
Shouldn't it be 'Pfilibustered'? (Oh, the fun we can have with her!!)
Rachel didn't serve this lady. She allowed the lady to talk endlessly and make the same old Republican talking points.
NEWS ALERT: PFOTENHAUER is an ancient German name and crudely translated means: PAWHITTER.!
Not sure if that contributes to her agressive stance at times??? Just a thought.!
Nancy fell, and couldn't get up. What the hell was that?
alfie @ 89:
It's just how Republicans roll. Opportunists to the core, they co-opt and pervert everything more sensible politicos have pointed out in other genuine contexts.
• Asking a question to which they should know the answer, but don't, becomes their excuse to rail against gotcha journalism.
• Noting that Sarah Palin is not qualified for the job she seeks becomes their excuse to rail against sexism.
• Calling for the Bush tax cuts to be eliminated becomes their excuse to condemn class warfare.
• The eruption of righteous anger over the disasters they cause or allow to happen becomes their excuse to call for an end to the "blame game," and for practical, bipartisan solutions to problems.
It is but an Orwellian maneuver designed not so much to feign nobility as it is to render the other side incapable of using language to make their arguments.
I once worked at a very large company, 16 billion + in revenues, and the mangement team were the most dispicable human beings I ever had the displeasure to work with. But the one thing that they knew how to do very well was talk to people they absolutley hated like poison in a way that would make you think they just loved that person. In fact the more they hated you the nicer they were to you. And Rachel has the ability to do the same, although I don't think it's personal with her, she dispises their snarky methods of presenting the facts and is smart enough to use their own words against them.
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Pfff-oat-en -hour's hubby is a lobbyist for or the manager/president of the US Mortgage Bankers Association. So, I guess her support for McCain and his penchant for deregulation is two-faced (hers & her husband's).
I love Rachel's show, rush home every day to watch her. I also listen to her on Air America. I think she and Randi are media movement for the future. GO girls.
Fun fact:
Did you know that Pfotenhauer's name roughly translates as Legslammer in German?
Where I really agree with Nicole is this: Maddow does confront Pfotenhauer with McCain's recond, and Pfotenhauer does start fillibustering. Now, McCain surrogates will not go on Maddow. Ergo, if other media did their homework, McCain's surrogates either have no where to go, or can only fillibuster rather than try to appear engaged at all. If more people behaved like Maddow, the lying surrogacy of McCain's campaign would be circumscribed in its ability to manipulate media appearences.
That's Nicole's point, and I think it's a damn good one.
Rachel Maddow is the best thing to happen to news since Edward R Murrow.
Mr./Ms.Whitehouse contributor #99 wrongly assumes,that the name PFOTENHAUER means LEGSLAMMER
in German -sorry quite wrong.I pointed out in #93 that this ancient surname means :PAWHITTER.
Leg in German is BEIN---PAW is the foot of an ANIMAL,NOT LEG. I certainly should know,since I was born
in Germany and even more certainly know a leg from a paw--or BEIN FROM PFOTE.(Pfoten is plural)
Now if somebody just would hire me as a teacher-------
Rachel just spanks the pee out of BS propoganda
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